What did 70 people investing over 350 man hours accomplish through The Big Serve last Saturday?
The love of Jesus was shared in tangible ways. Thank you for giving and going to share this love with others. Those who served and those who received were touched and blessed. Here is a testimony from one family who was on the receiving end...
“God Bless Fellowship Church,
The “Big Serve” group headed by David and Nancy Meyer came to our home Saturday morning. They got right to work, and needless to say they did a great job.
All our lives we have been givers to the glory of God, and the blessings were ours. Now that time and health have put us on the receiving end, we continue to be blessed.
It was so great seeing all those people doing all the things we used to be able to do and wish we still could. We love you all, our Fellowship family, and pray for blessings and health to everyone.
Thanks again for a job well done.
Sincerely,
Ruth and Howard Zablo”
Jesus said whatever we have done for the least, we have done it for Him. Thank you for ultimately serving Jesus!
Blessings,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Worship
Nelson Plasencia recently gave our Prototype Elders (myself, Matt Walters, Mike Hosey, and Nelson) a chapter from the book The NEW GUIDEBOOK for PASTORS. The chapter is titled, The Pastor and Worship. I have included some excerpts from this chapter that really spoke to me...
“Over the past thirty years or so the church has experienced what has been termed ‘worship wars.’ Churches have fought, split, ranted, and ruined their witness in the community over the issue of music style.
From the gates of Eden, with the killing of animals so their skins could clothe Adam and Eve, sacrifice became a part of worship...our lives are to be presented as a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1).
Man was not only created for worship, but he was also redeemed to worship...the truth is we do not forget about ourselves, we rarely magnify the Lord, and we are not worshipping Him because we are more interested in what we are getting out of the worship experience. In that context, true worship cannot take place.
Listen to the wisdom of Warren Wiersbe: ‘If we look upon worship only as a means of getting something from God, rather than giving something to God, then we make God our servant instead of our Lord, and the elements of worship become a cheap formula for selfish gratification.’
With all that goes on in churches today in the name of worship, is it possible that we have come to the place where we worship worship rather than worship God? The mechanics of worship have become the goal, and the means has become the end. Worship must keep one thing in focus-God Almighty!”
Desiring True Worship,
Jeff Powell
“Over the past thirty years or so the church has experienced what has been termed ‘worship wars.’ Churches have fought, split, ranted, and ruined their witness in the community over the issue of music style.
From the gates of Eden, with the killing of animals so their skins could clothe Adam and Eve, sacrifice became a part of worship...our lives are to be presented as a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1).
Man was not only created for worship, but he was also redeemed to worship...the truth is we do not forget about ourselves, we rarely magnify the Lord, and we are not worshipping Him because we are more interested in what we are getting out of the worship experience. In that context, true worship cannot take place.
Listen to the wisdom of Warren Wiersbe: ‘If we look upon worship only as a means of getting something from God, rather than giving something to God, then we make God our servant instead of our Lord, and the elements of worship become a cheap formula for selfish gratification.’
With all that goes on in churches today in the name of worship, is it possible that we have come to the place where we worship worship rather than worship God? The mechanics of worship have become the goal, and the means has become the end. Worship must keep one thing in focus-God Almighty!”
Desiring True Worship,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Community
From the outset of Christianity, the concept of community has been vital to being true followers of Jesus. Community AMONG the followers of Jesus and community IN general society. Early followers of Jesus lived life together, but their togetherness did not keep them from reaching out to the larger community of society. Their togetherness allowed them to penetrate all levels of society with the love of Jesus.
Fellowship Church is not a building or even a geographic location. Fellowship Church is people. You are Fellowship Church. We together are Fellowship Church.
On October 31 we have a wonderful opportunity to allow our togetherness to impact the larger community of our society with the love of Jesus. Hundreds from our community will gather on our property to receive candy and love from you. On October 31 I am asking you to consider using your vehicle in this event we call Trunk R Treat.
The concept is that you decorate your vehicle in some way and possibly even have a fun game or activity for the kids to do when they get to your vehicle. Please consider utilizing your vehicle for this great community event. You can let us know on your communication card so that we can plan accordingly and ensure that we have enough vehicles. An added bonus to this year’s event will be the participation of the High Springs Police Department, The Alachua Fire Department, and the Shands Cair Helicopter.
Fellowship Church (meaning you) let’s come together on October 31st to serve the larger community in which we exist. Let’s strive to be more like the first followers of Jesus. Let’s be together in all that we say and do.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Fellowship Church is not a building or even a geographic location. Fellowship Church is people. You are Fellowship Church. We together are Fellowship Church.
On October 31 we have a wonderful opportunity to allow our togetherness to impact the larger community of our society with the love of Jesus. Hundreds from our community will gather on our property to receive candy and love from you. On October 31 I am asking you to consider using your vehicle in this event we call Trunk R Treat.
The concept is that you decorate your vehicle in some way and possibly even have a fun game or activity for the kids to do when they get to your vehicle. Please consider utilizing your vehicle for this great community event. You can let us know on your communication card so that we can plan accordingly and ensure that we have enough vehicles. An added bonus to this year’s event will be the participation of the High Springs Police Department, The Alachua Fire Department, and the Shands Cair Helicopter.
Fellowship Church (meaning you) let’s come together on October 31st to serve the larger community in which we exist. Let’s strive to be more like the first followers of Jesus. Let’s be together in all that we say and do.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Making a Difference!
Can one act of kindness toward another person really make a difference? At times we see an initial impact, either positive or negative. But what happens long-term from the good things that we do for others?
I have learned that our actions towards others are like seeds sown into the ground. Sometimes the ground is hard and rocky, other times the ground is soft and fertile. Regardless, our actions are seeds sown into the ground of the human hearts.
Jesus refers to our actions as having eternal significance by saying, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40). Years later, Paul wrote to us a similar thing by saying, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7). Yes, what we do for others has present and future impact!
On October 23 we are seeking to mobilize as a church family into teams that will go out and do acts of kindness for others. Projects have been lined up and we need you to sign up on Sunday for one of those projects (see the table at the back of the Worship Center). Now don’t worry, the Gators don’t play on October 23, so nearly all of us should be able to sign up to help others.
We are calling October 23 THE BIG SERVE because I believe that together we can and will do big things for others. And together we will be making a difference in the present and in the future from the acts of kindness done on that day. I really hope and pray that you will make it a priority to be a part of helping others through THE BIG SERVE on October 23!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
I have learned that our actions towards others are like seeds sown into the ground. Sometimes the ground is hard and rocky, other times the ground is soft and fertile. Regardless, our actions are seeds sown into the ground of the human hearts.
Jesus refers to our actions as having eternal significance by saying, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40). Years later, Paul wrote to us a similar thing by saying, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7). Yes, what we do for others has present and future impact!
On October 23 we are seeking to mobilize as a church family into teams that will go out and do acts of kindness for others. Projects have been lined up and we need you to sign up on Sunday for one of those projects (see the table at the back of the Worship Center). Now don’t worry, the Gators don’t play on October 23, so nearly all of us should be able to sign up to help others.
We are calling October 23 THE BIG SERVE because I believe that together we can and will do big things for others. And together we will be making a difference in the present and in the future from the acts of kindness done on that day. I really hope and pray that you will make it a priority to be a part of helping others through THE BIG SERVE on October 23!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
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